Hiking In Texas

Texas Oak Trail with Opossum Loop and Alternate return on Council Bluff Trail Lake Brownwood State Park has some scenic and challenging waterfront hikes . If you want to enjoy a variety of landscapes and trail types, look no further than the Texas Oak Trail. This 1.4 mile trek with connection to the Council Bluff Trail to take you back to the parking area at the fishing pier, provides a round trip of about 1.7 miles.  If you add a jaunt around the Opossum Loop and then do the .14 mile portion of the Texas Oak Trail two times because you have to backtrack, you get a nice 2.25 mile journey through some fascinating woods and fields. You will also do some rock scrambling and pass through some very cool rock-walled inclines. Oh, and you just might see one of those Scissor-Tailed Fly Catchers that start showing up once the mesquite trees leaf out. The most rugged portions of these combined trails are at the beginnings of the Texas Oak Trail and the Council Bluff Trail when approaching f...

Deep dive on the Nopales Ridge Trail at Lake Brownwood State Park The Nopales Ridge Loop trail at the Lake Brownwood State Park is a true gem of a trail. It offers a good long hike with a few rocky portions, a small elevation gain, some long distance views of the lake and if you go there in March and April you'll likely get treated to expansive stands of wildflowers.  In the summer months you'll find some nicely shaded spots interspersed with full sun sections. On clear winter days you will have lots of sunny trail and stands of trees and brush to provide a break from any northerly winds that might intrude. Special note for those using wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The early portions of the trail in either direction are flat and wide so if you wanted to get a little deeper into nature beyond the picnic table and bench at the trailhead, you have that option. Small stands of oak make wonderful places to sit and commune with nature. This trail gets used by mountain cyclers, ...

Hike the Dogleg Canyon Trail at Colorado Bend State Park When was the last time you took a really challenging hike where you surprised yourself at how incredibly fit you were? Well, if it's been awhile, and you are hankering for that feeling again, then consider setting out on the Cedar Chopper to Dogleg Canyon hike at Colorado Bend State Park . Unlike many hikes, on this one you go downhill first, leaving the more challenging uphill portion for later in the day when you are more tired! When you pull into the parking area (31.0426123 -98.4766015) for the Cedar Chopper Loop trail, you'll get the impression the trail is pretty tame. While that might be true for the portion of the Cedar Chopper Loop you'll use to connect to the Dogleg Canyon trail, once you've covered that initial 8/10ths of a mile, you'll get into the more challenging stuff. From the parking lot you go a tenth of a mile across grassland punctuated with junipers. At the junction to Cedar Chopper, you h...

Spicewood Springs Trail The Spicewood Springs Trail at the Colorado Bend State Park delivers a refreshing journey through crystal clear water features, rocky ridges, and quiet, secluded paths meandering through forest and canyons. On the 3.5 mile round trip, you should be prepared to do some scrambling up and down rock faces, expect to get your feet wet and be ready to backtrack when you lose the trail. Spicewood Springs trail and the Spicewood Canyon trail share the same river front access trail from the southwestern river front parking area. Access to the Spicewood Springs Trail runs along the banks of the Colorado River where you will enjoy an easy hike with intermittent shade. I was there on a clear day in late February and started my hike at about 10:30 a.m. At that time, this 1/2 mile stretch leading to the Spicewood Springs trail was a comfortable temperature. But, on the way back, it was pretty hot and with little shade for my hatless head ( I totally forgot to bring the hat)!...